The Economic Evaluation Research Center at the University of Georgia in partnership with Georgia Charitable Care Network (GCCN) conducted a study to demonstrate how clinics in the GCCN are an effective, cost-saving way to provide primary care to the uninsured populations in the state. In this study, they used longitudinal data provided by the clinics to assess the economic impact of treating and managing patients in Georgia’s Charitable Care Network. This presentation will show the savings accrued through the clinics’ contribution to improved health outcomes.

Session Description:
Diabetes and hypertension are growing public health problems in Georgia. Already burdened by a physician shortage and nursing crisis, health care facilities have the challenge to provide medical management and education for a growing patient population affected with these chronic diseases.

Providing individualized, comprehensive education for these patients is the key to successful management of the diseases and prevention of serious and costly complications. Learn from two charitable clinics about how they established their education programs that improved patient compliance and produced successful outcomes.
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The process of “getting a grant” sounds daunting to many. This webinar will help to unravel the process and clarify that creating a compelling proposal simply requires common elements put together in a logical and understandable sequence using tried and true techniques.

There are unique challenges to delivering health care in rural areas, and they include provider shortages, isolation, long travel distances, scarcity of specialty care, an under-resourced infrastructure and a predominately older population with multiple chronic diseases. But out of necessity, rural areas also make it possible for clinics to be more innovative in overcoming the challenges of providing care to residents.

Despite continuing misperceptions that healthcare reform reduces the need for safety net providers, many charitable clinics today actually face increasing demand for their services yet downward pressure on their sources of funding and support. As a result, a number of charitable clinics – most of which have been completely free to patients up until now – are beginning to consider the implementation of patient fees. The purpose of the webinar is to shine a light on this emerging development and to provide practical information and guidance for clinic decision makers.

As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. The same goes for health care champions. Without strategic partnerships and alliances, it could take twice as long to accomplish goals and overcome the hurdles in the nonprofit health sector. This presentation will highlight successful models of strategic partnerships to help participants gain insight on the meaning and purpose of building strategic partnerships. Strategies for developing and sustaining partnerships along with Board of Directors, staff, and community partner roles in building these partnerships will also be discussed during the presentation.

Georgians who depend on safety-net clinics for their health care often have difficulty accessing the specialty services they need or may have to wait a long time for them. While initiatives should be locally designed and implemented, they share goals and strategies in the efforts made to impact the demand for care, the supply of physicians, and the coordination of patient care. Learn from one of the state’s most successful specialty care coordination programs, the Health Access Program at Good News Clinics in Gainesville, about building a referral network.